FFRF Creates a New Scholarship for Brave Atheists

The Freedom From Religion Foundation just announced the creation of the “Atheists in Foxholes Support Fund.” The fund will offer scholarships and help to “persons who exhibit bravery in furthering the cause and experience hardship because of that stand.”

Take a wild guess at the first (and very deserving) recipient:

The Foundation announced today its first recipient will be Jessica Ahlquist, the besieged 16 year old running the gauntlet in Rhode Island for successfully suing her high school over an illegal prayer banner. FFRF today is sending a start-up scholarship check via its Atheists in Foxholes Support Fund for $10,000. FFRF already announced it is designating her for the 2012 Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist Award with a $2,000 scholarship.

As far as I can tell, this is not an annual award or even a set amount of money. It’ll be given to whomever the FFRF deems worthy of receiving it, based on financial need or because FFRF just felt like giving someone a nice reward.

In addition to her scholarship you’re raising? Very cool. I like the support network we’re creating. I tossed in $5 for Jessica and the previous kid too. Hopefully those who stand up and are besieged will at least find solace that there’s an extensive network that’s got their back.

Money won’t undo emotional damage but hopefully, we can give them a chance better opportunities int the future, and go to the school (in or out of state) where they feel will be best suited to their needs.

Ruben_pratama

An Indonesian atheist who questioned the existence of God on his Facebook page has officially been arrested and is facing the prospect of five years in jail.The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas-Ham) immediately condemned the move as repressive, saying it was a violation of freedom of expression.Dharmasraya Police Chief Sr. Comr. Chairul Aziz told the Jakarta Globe on Friday that Alexander, 31, a civil servant in West Sumatra, had been charged with blasphemy and officially detained.The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

Babies are born atheist. — Can we get the ‘Evil little thing’ shirts in baby onesie sizes ??

ORAXX

Can’t you just feel all that Christian ‘love’?

Rich Wilson

Hemant covered it here, in case you want to join that discussion. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/01/20/the-bible-belt-doesnt-look-so-bad/

http://madhominem.wordpress.com/ Mad Hominem

Jessica Ahlquist is so fortunate to benefit from our community’s generosity. With this award coupled with the staggering amount that’s already been raised for her here, I think it might be prudent to put a cap on the donations to her in particular. College is expensive (I’m lucky enough to be on scholarship myself) but it would be great if we could fund smaller grants to even more fellow-atheist students whose finances could use the boost. I’m pretty surprised FFRF is giving Jessica two awards; surely there are other kids who deserve the same recognition.

Cherykurt

Disillusion is enlightenment I’m sure that you’ll agree: Before we put our weapons down We first must learn to see That ideals are all the enemy– It’s there we disagree– Oh someday from our religions we’ll be free! – Kurt Henry. http://www.kurthenry.com